Boat



A. W. LANE May 14, 1957 BOAT Filed Dec. l5, 1954 :I Imm im! im INVENToR. A 70N W. LANE especially .to a Aponer haar having fateful-Purposes not lady, the invention is concerned with and .nizedrthat in .various aspects fthe.inlterltion smo `Thisxinventionirelatesftoaznovel type offboat-and-Jrnore 15 satisfied by ,any known ior-existingzty earily limited -to the `tillustrative details norto thei llustrative application :thereof The `job -oflboom meninawmill pQrtd'siiSlidiBGUlt and motorboats, etc., are cumbersome fhecauaeofy-th ,lexus of .maneuvering -in y.conned 4spaces Lelong tinuous courses. J"Their Y use-tto transport :the me g onztlre pond and V'to-push or tow logs to theiniill -slp or 30 into segregated.-groupsgis-ltime consuming. iWhen-vhermill isi-operating y.the timing of` delivery of select slip `is important t-owtheoverfall ecieny'. of .the mill. hose and various other "factors :amounting to well knownproblems in-mostfmill pond-operations .yin- 35 .spired (the present invention, fdirected toward -,;red;1lng costs, ydangers fand unduly strenuous labor ,-in such iWork ,Another object of this 4invention is asworkzhoatawhich is compact soas-to'be maneuverableiin connedspaces and which is highlymimaneuverableforxthreading itszway :'.U between and .around floating logs ltto Vpermit tseparatln and segregation of :logs and carrying out many-of the other operations incident to :mill pond :operations Another ,object -ot the invention is a work tboat--vby which :logs .or other filoating objects lmay rb efpushed :con- ,4,5 veniently :and .quickly 4from one placeito another `:Wit-hout necessity ofvconnecting .orztying the log trxtheboat. ,'More specifically it is. an ,object :to lprovide a type A offpowerboat Whereintthe shape .of the "hull `and the relative flooation therein of the propulsion unit tare-such thatfthe-boatimay ,5D be :advanced in :any yselected direction yof ,abutment k.against a-log to .push1the :same ahead of :theboaL-,Nvithiandm herent .tendency -for theboatsto maintain itself ,fsquarely abutted againStthesde` or end of ,a1-log ein Jthe I:selected heading. v 5 `Stille-anotherobject yof theinventiongisapower boat or the like having vsuch ahull yshape and propulsionunit arrangement :that `the direction iof 'heading .Lof-,the rboat may bevchanged at anydnstant fandfthroughoutia 360 range. Thus, {from a :given .fheading the Vboat naybe 60 caused immediately vto .assume any newiheadi-ng lmerely by proper repositi-oningiof a steering mechanism, ,and willperform I(.-a's to steering, speed, stability, .=etc.:).in' the same manner 1in fthe :new Vdirection as lintrthe old :without requiring the boat hull itself tolbecomereoriented. ,65

A related object is a power boat ihavingthe abovedescribed characteristics Y-whi-ch fris nevertheless 'relatively stable `in the water :and which :may be :maneuvered abruptly linpracti-ca'lly any manner with Asubstantially:perfeet "safety it'o :the .operator tand fanypassengersfwhich: the 1,0 boat is fcapableiof carrying zfMoreover, thesnovel :boat may be manufactured at relatively low cost and to withice standrough treatment as necessary for mill pond opera- -tionsand thelike.

"'The advantages of stability and exceptional maneuverability yof the boat give it a versatility for different applications not heretofore availab'lein any existing type of boat.

In its presently preferred andidisclosedform the-novel :boat has a roundcylndricalhull with afsloping bottom, -With a central ywell lformed along the 'vertical taxis of symmetry of :the'vhull to receive the power unit which is suspended on thrust bearings t'for rotational movement `about such axis throughout a continuous 360 range. :A propeller 1unit support-ed and Vdriven 'by `the power source is located 'beneath the well with the propeller fsituated :in `the :vicinity of .the central Y-vertical Vaxis of the :hull and Vdirected in :a :plane containing such axis,

said power-unit being `rotatable with the motive power source. .Asteering wheelemounted at convenient elevation above deck level on 'thefhulliis provided 'for turning "the entire powered propulsion Yunit about the central vertical axis `so that lthe direction of thrust of the propeller may be chaugedto any new heading at will. VPreferably )the propeller is -situated forwardly of the vertical axis so as to .minimize any tendency'for the boat to'whip. Struc- :tural-vanes mounted on the exterior ofthe sloping bot- ;tom :portion of fthe hull provide Yreinforcing to the hull and 'impart rotary damping action thereto Aminimizing :any spinning tendency Yof the hull.

Because of ithe continuously rotatable poweredpropulsion ,unitvcontrolled as to langular position by thesteering wheel the voperator may cause lthe boat to follow any `,desired-new course Strom any given/heading whether the boat is-then at'rest orin motion. Achange oflheading'neither requi-res nor produces a change of hull orientation,'hence the `turning radius is reduced to a Vminimum. The circular 'form of the hull andthe relatively low fcenter of gravity of the boat due to the mounting of the -power aunit in "the i well lformed Vcentrally in the hull assures maximum `stability `and maneuverability. The "boat lis provided with a planked -deck extending around ythe well so that the operator may change his position as necessary in order to-face in any new direction of heading.

These and other features, objects and ladvantages of the 'invention together with -certain details of construction of ythe presently preferred form will become more fully yevident 'from the following description thereof 'by -reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a sectional-side elevation of the novel power boat.

`'Figure 2 is a sideelevation `view of lthe boat in operation pushing a, log. Y

Figure 3 kis a simpli-edfpl-an-view illustrating an operating principle of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, theiboatis hull structure 12 is of annular form and .is preferably manufactured of ysheetsteel ortothersuitable material which can be welded together to form the completely sealed ring-like hull. The -hull vproper vcomprises the outer cylindrical sheet metal ring 12a, the inner cylindrical sheet metal ring 12b concentric to ring 12a,-the liat sheet metal annular top or deck plate 12e welded at'outside 'and inside edges to the respectivelngs 12a :and 12b, `and-the conical-annular sheet nietalbottorn ring 12d, likewise welded continuouslyat its ou ide and inside 'edgesrtorthezrespective cylindricalrings V12V ,and 12b. If'desiretlgthehull propermay be compartmented o r may be :partially filled with cork blocks or other lightweight buoyant material or ,hollow 4containers assuringbuoyancy of zthe hull incase o'f leakage.

The hulltop is vsubstantially 4ilat and in the crest position of the hull assumes a horizontal attitude. It visxdeclted over by planking 14 so that in the illustrated case it may be walked upon safely by loggers with spiked boots. The hull bottom plate 12b is reinforced and protected externally by the `angle iron ribs 16 which extend radially between the inside and outside edges of the bottom member 12b at different angular positions therearound. These r-ibs in addition to reinforcing and protecting the llilullll bottom act as anti-spin vanes adding stability to the In the illustration the motive power source comprises the internal combustion engine 1S mounted partially within the Well in the hull formed by theA inner cylindrical ring plate 12b. For this purpose a supporting cage structure is mounted on the top of the hull above the well, comprising the upright members 20 secured at their lower ends to the top plate 12e in a suitable laterally spaced arrangement and interconnected at their tops by cross members 22. A second :cage-like supporting structure is also mounted on the hull below the well therein, comprising the L-shaped members 24 secured by their upper ends to the bottom plate 12a and interconnected at their inner, lower ends by the fitting 26. In the illustration there are four each of the members 20, 22 and 24, spaced apalt respectively by 90 about the central vertical Iaxis A of the hull.

The powered propulsion assembly is rotatively mounted between and within the upper and lower frameworks described. The fitting 26 serves as a support :for a thrust bearing 28 supportingly connected to the swinging arm 30 which provides support for the lower end of the propeller assembly 32. The propeller assembly 32 in turn is rigidly connected, as by bolts 34, to the lower end of the motor unit 18. The motor unit, or at least the lower portion thereof is protectively surrounded by the drumlike container 36 suspended within the well by the upright frame members 38 so as to permit parts of the motor to be below water level at times without becoming wet. The suspension structure frame members 38 are rigidly interconnected bythe cylindrical -fuel tank 40 above the motor proper, and by the framework cross members 42. This motor unit suspension structure is rotatively supported at the top by a central upright shaft 44 rigidly connected to the frame cross members 42 and journaled in a thrust bearing 46 carried by the stationary frame cross -members 22.

The two thrust bearings 46 and 28 aligned with the central vertical axis of the hull structure thus carry the weight of the powered propulsion unit comprising the motor 18, the propeller assembly 32 and the associated suspension structure thereof, to permit free rotation of theentire structure about the central vertical axis of the boat. The upper end portion of the shaft 46 xedly carries a horizontally disposed steering wheel 48 by which the entire assembly may be turned relative to the hull. Preferably the necessary engine controls and indicators are mounted in the control assembly 50 above the steering wheel for accessibility and visibility and are connected to the engine by suitable cables and the like 52 passing downwardly through the tubular shaft 44. The latter extends through the fuel tank 40.

The cooling system of the engine preferably comprises the cylindrical bottom compartment 36a of the drum structure 36, which compartment comprises a cooling chamber for water flowing through the cooling pipes 52 and 54 respectively leading to and from the cooling jacket of the engine.

For convenience and safety a circular hand rail 58 of somewhat larger diameter than the steering wheel 48 is mounted on brackets 60 at the top of the stationary frame structure comprising the members 2t) and 22. Thus the operator and any passengers standing on the deck planking 14 may face in any direction in which the vessel may be heading relative to the hull structure and may walk around the deck to face in a new direction when the heading is changed and still have direct and convenient access to the hand rail and to the steering wheel as well as to the controls 50.

As previously mentioned, the propeller assembly is rigidly connected to the lower side of the power unit structure. The hub guard or housing for the propeller drive gears 58 is designated 60. The propeller 62, driven through the lgears 58, is situated in the vicinity of the central axis A and preferably slightly forwardly of such axis in the direction of heading of the boat. The direction of heading of the boat is, of course, defined by the instantaneous angular position of the line of thrust of the propeller about the vertical axis A. A protective cage is formed by the lower frame structure members 24 and the horizontal rings 66 of bar stock preventing large objects from coming into contact with the rotating propeller.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, one important use of the novel boat is in the maneuvering of logs and rafts of logs in mill ponds or the like. It is in effect a work boat for the boom men. In Figure 2 the boat is abutted against the end of a log L in order to push the same forwardly in the line of heading of the boat. Figure 3 illustrates the principle by which the boat with a given heading of the propeller relative to the hull structure tends to remain in abutted relationship to the end of a log or any other object against which itis pushing. In the solidline view of the hull periphery the circular outline of the hull is tangential to the end face of the log at the intersection between such end face and the line of heading of the boat. If for any reason the hull tends to roll out of contact with the end face of the log so as to disturb the above-described relationship, as into the dotted line position of the hull, then the heading or line of thrust of the propeller shaft, designed as the line X, no longer passes through the point of contact between the hull and the log, but instead is offset from such point of contact P in a certain sense. It is noted however that the very existence of this offset establishes a torque about such point of contact so as to roll the hull back into the original normal position of abutment with the log end face. In other words, if the operator holds the steering wheel stationary relative to the hull, or if this is done by a suitable clamp (not shown), then the boat has an inherent tendency to remain abutted against an object so that the line of thrust of the boat against such object will always tend to remain perpendicular to the surface being contacted. Any tendency for rapid oscillation or rolling of the hull back and forth along the abutment surface of the object about a normal position, represents a spinning movement of the hull about its vertical axis, and as such is suppressed or damped by the rib-like vanes 16 which create turbulence to a high degree for that type of motion.

In some instances the ribs 16 may be omitted or may be placed in an internal location so as to minimize resistance to forward movement in the water.

When the boat is in operation the operator normally stands behind the center of buoyancy so as to trim the boat with the forward side raised slightly and thereby further reduce the resistance to movement. It is found by experience that the boat handles well and asumes a stable course which can be changed abruptly to any new direction at will, whether sidewards or backwards in relation to an existing heading. Since the hull itself need not assume any new orientation the turning radius is zero if the etect of forward momentum and finite rotation time of the steering wheel are neglected. With a stationarily mounted motor and a separately rotatable propulsion unit of relatively light weight, hence low moment ofinertia about the axis A, even more abrupt turning is possible. By looking at the controls or some other index ofpropeller heading the operator can determine the direction in which the boat will start out from rest position, or its .existing heading.

Various other details and aspects of the invention and of the illustrated form thereof will be evident to those skilled in the art, and it will be recognized that the novel features presented are not confined to a particular set of details such as those herein shown and described.

:Itclaim asfmy inveatianf 1. A power boat comprising a hull structure having a bottom of substantially `l' f,c r1 n in different horivzontal cross sections about thecel ralvertical agristhereof, said hull structure having a central well extending through the bottom thereof, a source of motive power mounted generally centrally on said hull structure, propulsion means having a propulsive element driven by said power source to drive the boat across the water `and having supporting connections thereto extending upwardly through said well and connected to said hull structure to permit bodily rotation of said propulsive element relative to said hull structure about the central vertical axis of said hull structure, the propulsive direction of said propulsive element extending in a line passing through said central vertical axis, and steering means connected to said propulsion means and operable to permit eiecting such rotation of said propulsive element for steering purposes by an operator reacting directly against said hull structure, whereby said propulsive element may be re-directed by any amount and in any direction immediately relative to said hull structure for immediately changing the latters direction of heading accordingly, the resistance to turning of the hull being materially greater than that to turning of the propulsion means about said axis, whereby said hull remains substantially in the same rotated position during rotational displacement of said propulsion means.

2. The power boat defined in claim l, wherein the motive power source is generally centrally mounted in the hull structure Well .for bodily rotation thereof about the vertical central axis of such hull structure, and wherein the power source and the propulsion means are interconnected for bodily rotation thereof conjointly about the hull structure axis.

3. The power boat dened in claim l, wherein the propulsive element is supported in a position located slightly forward of the vertical central axis of the hull structure in any rotational position of said propulsive element.

4. A power boat comprising a circular ring-like hull having a vertical well in the center thereof and having a deck on the top thereof extending around the edge of said well, powered propulsion means comprising a motive power source and a propeller -assembly producing generally horizontally directed thrust in a desired line of heading and dependingly mounted from and operatively connected to said motive power source, support means at top and bottom of said hull including bearing elements rotatively supporting said powered propulsion means for bodily rotation thereof about the central vertical axis of said hull, said propulsion means being materially easier to rotate in the lwater than said hull, and steering means for effecting bodily rotation of said motive power source and propeller assembly directly relative to said hull at will about the central vertical axis of the hull to provide powered propulsion of said hull in any selected direction, the propulsive direction of said powered propulsion means extending in a generally horizontal line passing substantially through the central vertical axis of the hull in all rotational positions of said powered propulsion means relative to said hull.

5. The power boat defined in claim 4, wherein the steering means comprises a circular steering wheel mounted on the powered propulsion means at a height above the deck conveniently to be grasped and operated by persons standing on the deck and facing in any selected direction thereon relative to the hull.

6. A power boat comprising a hull structure having a sloping bottom portion which is round in different horizontal cross sections symmetrically with respect to the central vertical axis of said hull structure, said hull structure including a plurality of radially extending rib mem bers secured to the exterior of the bottom portion of said hull structure at angularly yspaced locations there around, a source of motive power carried by said hull structure, propulsion ymeans conne ;ted :to be driven by said motive power source to propel the boat in a selected direction ofheading.saidpropulsionimeans being. mounted in .-:the vicinity of .the .central vertical .axis of `the lhull @structure :and -being .rotatable .bodily irelative to .said rhull structure about said axis to exert propulsion thrust on the hull structure for directing the same in any of a plurality of directions through a continuous 360 range relative thereto passing through the central vertical axis, and steering means connected to said propulsion means and operable directly by force reaction from said hull structure to permit changing the bodily rotated position of said propulsion means at will and thereby immediately thereupon the direction of heading of the boat without appreciable bodily rotation of the hull structure itself.

7. A power boat comprising a hull structure of integral construction providing substantially Ithe full buoyancy of the boat and having a bottom portion which is substantially round in diierent horizontal cross sections, said hull structure having a central vertical axis of symmetry, propulsion means for propelling said boat in a selected direction of heading, and means rotatively mounting said propulsion means on said hull structure in the vicinity of said central vertical axis to permit rotation of the line of thrust of said propulsion means directly relative to said hull structure throughout a continuous 360 range, said line of thrust passing substantially through said vertical axis in all rotated positions of said propulsion means, thereby to change the heading of said boat without bodily rotation of said hull structure.

8. The power boat dened in claim 7, wherein the hull structure additionally comprises vane members mounted externally on thebottom portion thereof in substantially radially extending positions providing damping action minimizing any spinning tendency of the hull about the vertical central axis thereof.

9. A power boat comprising a hull structure having a bottom of substantially symmetrical round form in different horizontal cross sections about the central vertical axis of symmetry thereof, a source of motive power carried by said hull structure, propulsion means connected to be driven by said motive power source for propelling said boat -across the water in a given direction, rotative support means on said hull structure supporting said propulsion means therefrom to permit rotational displacement of said propulsion means about said axis of symmetry in either direction and through any displacement angle, and steering means connected to said propulsion means and adapted to permit rotatively displacing the same relative to the hull structure by reaction from the latter for changing the propulsion direction of said propulsion means with respect to the hull structure at will to effect steered propulsion of the boat in any direction of heading without rotating said hull structure about said symmetry axis when changing from one heading to a different heading, the resistance to turning of the hull being materially greater than that -to turning of the propulsion means about said axis, whereby said hull remains substantially in the same rotated position during rotational displacement of said propulsion means.

lO. The power boat defined in claim 9, wherein the propulsion means are disposed by the rotative support means generally centrally of the hull structure, with the direction of propulsion of said propulsion means substantially passing through the central vertical axis of the boat in all rotationally displaced positions of said propulsion means relative to the hull structure.

ll. The power boat defined in claim l0, wherein the propulsion means comprises a propulsive element thereon mounted slightly forwardly of the central vertical axis of the boat hull structure in all rotationally displaced positions of said propulsion means relative to the hull structure.

(References on following page) References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Maynes Feb. 26, 1946 Stcele Oct. 29, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 25, 1932 

